Charleston Women Summer 2020

www.CharlestonBrides.com | www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ReadCWomen.com 26 - CW BY LINDSAY C. BISHOP Love in the Time of Corona HowCouples Creatively Said“I Do” I magine you’ve been planning the day for months. From the flowers in your bouquet to the late-night wedding party snacks, every detail of your wedding has been chosen with care. Then, a month before you’re set to say “I do,” a worldwide pandemic begins to take hold. Coronavirus touched down in Charleston just as wedding season began, causing many couples to postpone or even cancel the celebrations that they had worked so hard to plan. Some, however, chose to press forward, declaring their vows of love at creative, intimate gatherings. Melanie Smith and Christopher Condeni found each other on Bumble and immediately hit it off. The two were set to wed April 2, 2020 on Jekyll Island, among beautiful live oak trees. As the virus progressed, they were forced to shift their plans, beginning with a smaller guest list. When the venue made the decision to close, the couple decided to keep their original wedding date and host a family affair at home in Charleston. “We were so blessed to find Marianne Caldwell and River Oaks and have an intimate wedding that was more dreamy than we could have ever imagined,” said Melanie. At River Oaks, the pair said their vows in front of immediate family beneath grand oaks, just as they had envisioned. Known for her ability to create special moments, Caldwell went the extra mile to make Melanie Photo by Gandy Photographers.